Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman: OpenAI Legal Battle Escalates, Trial Could Last Until 2027

The legal war between Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is just getting started, and it’s shaping up to be a long and intense courtroom showdown. A California federal judge has signaled that the high-profile case—centered on the future of OpenAI and the ethics of AI development—could drag on until at least 2027.

This means years of legal battles, tech industry drama, and public clashes between two of the most powerful figures in artificial intelligence.

Musk vs. Altman: A Feud Years in the Making

The Musk-Altman conflict has been brewing for years. Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 with Altman and OpenAI President Greg Brockman, funding it with $45 million in donations. However, he left in 2018, frustrated with the company’s direction and later launched his own AI venture, xAI.

In August 2023, Musk filed a lawsuit, accusing OpenAI of abandoning its nonprofit mission in favor of profit-driven motives, particularly after its partnership with Microsoft (MSFT). He claims OpenAI is now prioritizing corporate interests over its original goal of making AI advancements accessible to humanity.

Stargate AI Project Sparks Another Clash

The animosity between Musk and Altman was further inflamed by the Stargate AI initiative, a massive $500 billion AI infrastructure project announced under President Donald Trump’s administration. The plan involves OpenAI, Oracle (ORCL), and SoftBank (SFTBY), aiming to supercharge AI development across the U.S.

🔹 Musk’s Response: Hours after the project was revealed, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter), claiming, “They don’t actually have the money.”
🔹 Altman’s Counterattack: Altman dismissed Musk’s criticism, saying, “Wrong, as you surely know”, and invited him to visit an AI site in Texas. He also took a subtle jab at Musk’s patriotism, writing, “This is great for the country… I hope you’ll mostly put America first”, accompanied by an American flag emoji.

This social media feud only adds fuel to the ongoing legal battle, with Musk doubling down on his allegations against OpenAI.

What’s Next in the Legal Battle?

During a recent hearing, Judge Gonzalez Rogers made it clear that the case was headed for a jury trial, stating, “Something is going to trial in this case.” If that happens, Musk and Altman could be locked in years of legal battles, with the case possibly stretching until 2027 or beyond.

This lawsuit is more than just a corporate dispute—it’s a fight over the future of AI, tech ethics, and corporate responsibility. As OpenAI continues to expand, and Musk’s xAI competes for dominance, the AI landscape could shift dramatically based on the trial’s outcome.

🚀 Will this legal battle reshape the future of AI? The tech world is watching closely.